Successful Song captured the largest purse of her very productive
27-race career Saturday at Gulfstream Park, winning the $300,000 Florida
Sunshine Millions Distaff by 3 ¼ lengths. The 6-year-old mare’s biggest
payday most likely came in her final race.

“She did what she needed to do. She’s getting good, and I guess
she’s getting ready to start her new career,” said trainer Eddie Plesa
Jr. noting that the daughter of Successful Appeal is scheduled to be
taken out of training and be bred by Live Oak Plantation. “This easily
could have been (her last start), that was the plan unless they change
their minds. We’ll see what happens.”

Successful Song, who won the $100,000 Ocala Stakes at Gulfstream in
her previous start, saved ground under jockey Joel Rosario throughout
the running of the 1 1/8-mile stakes for Florida-bred fillies and mares.
After tracking Delray Lady around the first turn and along the
backstretch, Rosario slipped the 6-5 favorite inside the longshot
pacesetter to grab the lead entering the far turn. The multiple
stakes-winning mare opened up a clear lead on the turn into the
homestretch and was never seriously challenged to the finish line.

“With Joel, he’s as good as there is. You have to have full
confidence in him. That’s a big plus,” Plesa said. “I liked where he was
sitting and everything he did.”

Successful Song ($4.40), who boosted her career earnings to $597,538
with the $180,000 winner’s share of the purse, ran 1 1/8 miles over a
sloppy track in 1:52.28.

“She broke well and there wasn't much speed early on in the race,
where my horse likes to run close to the pace,” Rosario said. “I made a
move at the 1/2 mile pole because they weren't going too quick in front.
She was the best today, I'm glad we won."

Speak Easy Gal, who is scheduled to be sold at auction next month
and also likely raced for the last time, finished second under jockey
Luis Saez. My Pal Chrisy, who was ridden by Luca Panici, finished third.

Whether her connections change their minds about retiring her, Successful Song will be turned out.

“Every year that we’ve had her since she was 2, we’ve sent her to
the farm. Under normal circumstances, she’d be at the farm right now,
resting for about 45 days,” Plesa said. “Again, the plans are to breed
her, but no matter what, she’d be leaving after this race to go to the
farm for one reason or another.”